Directed by J. J. Perry

Starring Dave Bautista, Samuel L. Jackson, Olga Kurylenko and Kristofer Hivju

Rated MA

Score 2/6

Set ten years after a solar flare wiped out technology across the globe, “Afterburn” follows ex-soldier Jake, who works as a treasure hunter recovering valuable objects from the old world for powerful clients. His latest mission: team up with freedom fighter Drea to recover the Mona Lisa before an unhinged warlord gets there first.

Way back in 2019 Dave Bautista said that he’d rather do “good films” than join the Fast & Furious franchise. Why am I mentioning this seemingly uppity comment by Bautista? Well even with all of the “good films” that he made he has more than a few “bad films” in his filmography including Afterburn. I couldn’t help but smirk a little as I remembered his words about his desire to do “good films” while watching Afterburn. The words seem slightly comical in a petty way when you take into consideration the money Afterburn lost. It should be noted that this is the second time Bautista has worked with director JJ Perry. It should be noted that this is Perry’s third film as director, he has a background in Stunts and worked on two Fast and Furious movies. Considering that Afterburn is based on a Red 5 Comics graphic novel of the same name by Scott Chitwood Dave Bautista joins the list of actors who have played multiple comic book characters. I was a little surprised to see Sam Jackson pop in Afterburn as The King. JJ Perry’s background in stunts served him well for the movie. Now, yes in the third act the filmmakers do have a good “when good men do nothing” moment. But, honestly it wasn’t enough to save the movie. However, the comedic moments in the first two acts of the movie mostly fell flat.